In the early years of the past century, the medical profession became aware that the clinical management of cancer should be passed into the hands of qualified and experienced specialists.

1937
The Regional Institute for Research and Treatment of Neoplasms was established by the decree issued by the authorities of Drava Province. On August 1st, 1938, first patients were admitted into the reconstructed buildings of the former ‘Šempeter Barracks’ (presently Building A). In the first year of existence, the Institute, with a capacity of 28 beds, accommodated 818 patients.

1946
Adoption of a new name Institute of Oncology  

1947
Establishment of the Chair of Oncology and Radiotherapy at the Medical Faculty of Ljubljana

1950
Establishment of the Cancer Registry of Slovenia following the enforcement of the regulation on compulsory registration of cancer diseases in Slovenia

1951
First applications of cytostatics and of systemic cancer treatment

1952
An intense progress of the work in the field of specialties and research in oncology as well as a concept of team work were two preconditions for developing a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment

1976
First invitations to cooperate in international clinical studies

1983
Establishment of the Department of Psychooncology – a comprehensive approach to cancer patient treatment was further upgraded by offering psychological support to cancer patients and to their relatives

1996
By the Resolution of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Slovenia, the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana was awarded the title University Institute and Hospital of Oncology for the term of five years.

1997
The start of the construction of a new building of the Institute of Oncology

2004
In August, the hospital pharmacy moved from the ground floor of the Building B to the basement of the new Building H and a month later, in September 2004, the first and the second floors of the Building H were opened for inpatient care of hospitalized patients. 2005 In April 2005, the Department of Pathology and the Department of Cytopathology moved in the Building D (second floor) and the same year in November, the whole outpatient clinic moved from the basement of the Building H to the basement of the renovated Building D. 2006 The Department of Laboratory Diagnostics settled in the fourth floor of the renovated Building D.